Shirley's Notes and News: October 2011

A Reminder:

I wanted to share with you all again that when you share your email address with a Council Office or sign up on a listserv with any Government agency it becomes a part of the public record.  This means that if an individual or organization requests the email lists from this office as part of a public records request through the Freedom of Information Act, we must provide it by law.  That has happened twice this year so far and our office provided the list to the City Clerk's office to satisfy the request.

I do not approve of anyone collecting and utilizing lists of  email addresses from community members that have signed up to voluntarily receive information from this Council office for any purpose other than what you signed up for.  I was concerned about this prior to ever establishing a "note" distributed via email and prior to agreeing to establish a listserv.   It was the main reason that my office did not put out a "note" until this past year.  I am sorry that it occurred and appreciate those of you who contacted this office to share that you had expressed your displeasure to those individuals who had made the requests and solicited you without your permission.

Please know that you can un-subscribe to the listserv if you so choose and still be able to read through the Notes and News on the Ward 4 Web page under the News and Announcements area on the right of the page.  Just click that blue link and you will be directed to the page. You can then bookmark it for future reference.

There is a lot going on in the coming months and I will be sending out the Notes more frequently.  I hope you find them helpful and of value.

Thank you for taking the time to read them.

Shirley.

Operation Snowbird Environmental Assesment
Public Scoping Meetings September 27 and 28!

As part of the National Environmental Policy Act process, D-M officials will conduct public scoping meetings for Operation Snowbird Sept. 27-28 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.  The first meeting will be conducted at Sheraton Four Points, 1900 East Speedway and the second meeting will be held at Empire High School, 10701 East Mary Ann Cleveland Way.

The public will be informed on what to expect from the ongoing NEPA process and to gather public inputs to assist in properly defining the scope of the Environmental Assessment.  The goal of the EA is to identify and quantify impacts anticipated from the implementation of proposed alternatives and identify where mitigation measures can be implemented. Representatives from the Air Force, Operation Snowbird, and Gulf South Research Corporation, as well as experts on NEPA, will be available to answer questions about the proposed action and alternatives currently planned for consideration in the environmental analysis.

Four alternatives currently planned for consideration will be presented.

To learn more about Operation Snowbird and the meetings that are planned please click on the links below.

• Operation Snow Bird
• Public Scoping Meetings Press Release 

Know Where to Throw

In October Environmental Services (ES) will kick off “Know Where to Throw”, a new waste diversion program that will help Tucsonans in need while saving precious space in our landfills. The goal of the program is to inform Tucsonans about all the recycling and reuse options available to them in the community.

To kick off the “Know Where to Throw” effort, ES will hold a community drive to collect recyclable and reusable “stuff” that we often overlook: items that can’t be put in the blue barrel but can be dropped off at locations in our community.

For this drive, ES has identified four items -- crayons, eyeglasses, bras, and athletic shoes -- that will be collected from October 3 through October 28:

Crayons will be donated to the City’s Parks and Recreation Department for use in classes and programs for school-age children.

Eyeglasses will be delivered to the Lions Clubs International which distributes the glasses collected worldwide.

Bras will be collected and delivered to the Bra Recyclers, a company that has partnered with New Beginnings, Primavera Foundation, and the Gospel Rescue Mission to provide the undergarments to women in need. This October drive coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Athletic shoes will be shipped to Nike, where they are broken down and shredded and then used for athletic court surfaces and in new shoes.

If you would like to help and clear some space at home, bring your items to any City Council Ward Office and City Hall. You’ll find a location near you!

Pantano River Park Dedication Ceremony October 6!

Please join Council Member Scott, City of Tucson Parks and Recreation Staff, Tucson Clean and Beautiful, and Staff and Elected officials from Pima County for the opening dedication ceremony of the Pantano River Park.  The ceremony will be held on Thursday October 6 at 11 a. m..  You enter the Park on Pantano Parkway, south of Golf Links.  Parking is right there at Michael Perry Park.  A pdf. version of the invitation is attached! 

Bring your bike for a group funride at the conclusion of the event!

Public Meeting Planned to Discuss Potential Highway Improvements in Tucson Next Week

Area residents urged to give input on study to improve traffic flow on I-10 and connect SR 210 with I-10

The Arizona Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration are studying improvements for two corridors in the Tucson area: Interstate 10 from the I-10/I-19 interchange to State Route 83 and SR 210/Barraza-Aviation Parkway from Golf Links Road to a future connection with I-10 in southeast Tucson. The public is invited to attend a public information meeting to find out more information about this study, provide comments and ask questions.

Thursday, October 6

3 to 7 p.m.

Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites – Tucson Airport North

4550 S. Palo Verde Road, Tucson, AZ

The purpose of the study is to relieve congestion and improve traffic flow on I-10 and to connect SR 210 with I-10. There are two phases for this study:

Phase One is currently underway and involves the preparation of a feasibility study and environmental overview for I-10, from I-19 to SR 83, and SR 210, from Golf Links to I-10.

Phase Two is anticipated to begin in late 2011 or early 2012 and involves the preparation of a design concept report and environmental assessment for both corridors.

Potential Improvements include:

• Widen I-10
• Improve existing traffic interchanges and crossroads
• Add new traffic interchanges
• Update existing ramps at some traffic interchanges to improve spacing and traffic flow
• Replace or widen existing bridges along I-10
• Add new auxiliary lanes
• Extend SR 210 southeast to I-10
• Connect to I-10 with a new interchange featuring free-flowing ramps

Maps and project information will be on display and comment forms will be available. Team members will be on hand to personally meet with attendees and address their specific questions and concerns. After the meeting, materials about the project will also be available at online at http://www.azdot.gov/I10SR210Study/.

For more information, please contact ADOT Tucson District Senior Community Relations Officer Linda Ritter at lritter@azdot. gov or call 1.855.712.8530.

Lincoln Park Softball Complex Dedication Ceremony Thursday October 20, 9 a.m.!

Please join us to celebrate the new Lincoln Park Softball Field Complex.  The entrance to the complex is on the South side of Escalante just as you pass to the East of Santa Rita High School!  This project was built with funding from the 2004 Pima County Bonds.

The new complex has 4 illuminated softball fields, illuminated walking paths, concessions buildings with restrooms, and an illuminated and landscaped parking lot with 211 spaces.

It will create new opportunities for major tournament play here in Tucson!

For more information on any of these items please contact the Ward 4 Council Office at 791-3199 or email andrew.squire@tucsonaz.gov.